Tight security in TN after terror alert

Security has been stepped up in five major temples in Tamil Nadu following an intelligence alert of terror attacks.

The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Murugan temple in Palani, Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai and Sri Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam in Tiruchirappalli have come under a heightened security, following intelligence inputs that they could be the target of some banned organisations, waiting to expand their trail across the country after the Delhi blasts.

Highly-placed officials told PTI that the move was taken at a review meeting of law and order situation held in Chennai on Wednesday, headed by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Security had also been beefed up at the office of Tamil daily 'Dinamalar' following intelligence reports that the newspaper might also be one of the terror targets, they said. The daily faced protests from Muslim groups recently after it carried a cartoon of Prophet Mohammed.

Besides these temples, commercial hubs in Chennai and elsewhere have also been placed under surveillance.

However, officials are wary about security arrangements in the temples, as they want the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department, that administers temples, to be more proactive and forthcoming in ensuring fool-proof security "as anybody can enter the temples".

The state police headquarters had ordered the district administrations to tighten up the security arrangements.